The ALGONORTH was exempted from compulsory pilotage because the master and the navigation officers in charge of piloting the ALGONORTH had met the conditions imposed by the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority for such an exemption. The navigating officer in charge was making his first transit of the season in this part of the Seaway. The officer in charge was assisted by another similarly qualified officer. Mariners transiting this section of the Seaway usually refer to a chart that indicates the courses to follow on specific ranges. The course between buoys C22 and C24 is 260(T). When the ALGONORTH came abreast of buoy C22, the officer in charge of piloting the vessel ordered the helmsman to steer a course of 265.5(T). The officer responsible for piloting the vessel was informed by his colleague that the course was incorrect. Despite this intervention of the assistant officer, the vessel kept the course of 265.5(T). Although the weather conditions made the echoes more difficult to assess and less visible on the screen because of heavy precipitation, the master of the ALGONORTH was able to detect the RIXTA OLDENDORFF at a range of more than 0.75nautical mile. Shortly thereafter, buoy C24 was sighted on the port bow. To bring the vessel back into the canal and avoid grounding, the master ordered the helm hard a port and held it steady until the RIXTA OLDENDORFF was seen visually. This action not only prevented grounding but also helped to reduce the force of the impact between the two vessels.Analysis The ALGONORTH was exempted from compulsory pilotage because the master and the navigation officers in charge of piloting the ALGONORTH had met the conditions imposed by the Great Lakes Pilotage Authority for such an exemption. The navigating officer in charge was making his first transit of the season in this part of the Seaway. The officer in charge was assisted by another similarly qualified officer. Mariners transiting this section of the Seaway usually refer to a chart that indicates the courses to follow on specific ranges. The course between buoys C22 and C24 is 260(T). When the ALGONORTH came abreast of buoy C22, the officer in charge of piloting the vessel ordered the helmsman to steer a course of 265.5(T). The officer responsible for piloting the vessel was informed by his colleague that the course was incorrect. Despite this intervention of the assistant officer, the vessel kept the course of 265.5(T). Although the weather conditions made the echoes more difficult to assess and less visible on the screen because of heavy precipitation, the master of the ALGONORTH was able to detect the RIXTA OLDENDORFF at a range of more than 0.75nautical mile. Shortly thereafter, buoy C24 was sighted on the port bow. To bring the vessel back into the canal and avoid grounding, the master ordered the helm hard a port and held it steady until the RIXTA OLDENDORFF was seen visually. This action not only prevented grounding but also helped to reduce the force of the impact between the two vessels. The vessels were hampered by heavy rain, which considerably reduced visibility. This was the first transit of the season in this part of the Seaway for the officer in charge of piloting the ALGONORTH. The radars in use on board the ALGONORTH were ineffective at times because of the heavy precipitation in the area. The two vessels communicated with each other during the evasive action taken to avert the collision. The RIXTA OLDENDORFF took action to avert the collision and to limit its effects. The master took command of the ALGONORTH to avoid grounding. The bridge watch personnel of the ALGONORTH had not had any accurate position since passing buoy C22.Findings The vessels were hampered by heavy rain, which considerably reduced visibility. This was the first transit of the season in this part of the Seaway for the officer in charge of piloting the ALGONORTH. The radars in use on board the ALGONORTH were ineffective at times because of the heavy precipitation in the area. The two vessels communicated with each other during the evasive action taken to avert the collision. The RIXTA OLDENDORFF took action to avert the collision and to limit its effects. The master took command of the ALGONORTH to avoid grounding. The bridge watch personnel of the ALGONORTH had not had any accurate position since passing buoy C22. The officer in charge of piloting the ALGONORTH ordered a course that took the vessel off course. The actions taken to bring the ALGONORTH back into the canal caused the vessel to yaw. The downbound RIXTA OLDENDORFF was close to when this situation occurred.Causes The officer in charge of piloting the ALGONORTH ordered a course that took the vessel off course. The actions taken to bring the ALGONORTH back into the canal caused the vessel to yaw. The downbound RIXTA OLDENDORFF was close to when this situation occurred.